Human Trafficking is one of the fastest growing criminal industries in the world, in which traffickers reap billions in profits by using force, fraud or coercion to rob victims (including US citizens and foreign nationals) of their freedom. It is estimated that thousands of U.S. citizens are trafficked within the United States, including more than 100,000 children in commercial sex. Pennsylvania is not exempt from the brutality of human trafficking, but we can do something about it!

Bipartisan legislation, HB 235 (by Representative Clymer) and SB 338 (by Senator Leach) requires placement of the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) Hotline number in key establishments, including places of transit (truck stops, welcome centers and bus stations) and in venues where victims may be found “at work” (such as certain hotels/motels, strip clubs, massage parlors). The hotline provides callers - victims, tipsters, and community members - with a bridge to help by linking callers with one or more of over 3000 resources across the country. Placing this hotline in key locations is critical to fighting this brutal crime, and to rescuing victims, because the crime is hidden in the shadows and traffickers work hard to keep victims of trafficking highly isolated.

Human Trafficking is one of the fastest growing criminal industries in the world, in which traffickers reap billions in profits by using force, fraud or coercion to rob victims (including US citizens and foreign nationals) of their freedom. It is estimated that thousands of U.S. citizens are trafficked within the United States, including more than 100,000 children in commercial sex. Pennsylvania is not exempt from the brutality of human trafficking.

I am emailing you today to urge you to support legislation to require the posting of the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline (HB 235 and SB 338). This legislation will help victims of human trafficking right now in Pennsylvania by requiring posting of the National Human Trafficking Hotline in certain establishments.

The hotline provides callers - victims, tipsters, and community members - with a bridge to help by linking callers with one or more of over 3000 resources across the country. Placing this hotline in key locations is critical to fighting this brutal crime, and to rescuing victims, because the crime is hidden in the shadows and traffickers work hard to keep victims of trafficking highly isolated.